Inkstand



Dec. 11,1945. G. J. sENGBUscH INKSTAND I Filed Feb. 5, 1944 [72verz Gzzsiav Jie'r zybusc/z Patented Dec. 11 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INKSTAND Gustav J. Sengbusch, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application February 3, 1944, Serial No. 520,858

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inkstands, and more particularly, to inkstands of the type wherein a relatively large supply of ink is stored in a receptacle and provision is made for feeding ink from such receptacle to a pen supported in an upright, readily accessible position by means of a socket into which the lower end of the pen fits.

The main objects of the invention are to provide an inkstand of the character indicated in which loss of ink by evaporation with its attendant objectionable crust formation is substantially eliminated; to provide such an inkstand which may be easily refilled from time to time as needed but which, under ordinary circumstances, will require refilling only at widely spaced intervals of time; to provide an inkstand having the above indicated characteristics which will be easy to manufacture and which may be produced and sold at a relatively low cost; and, in general, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved inkstand of the character indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawing wherein there is illustrated an inkstand embodying a selected form of the invention.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a plan;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of a part of the inkstand, and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the lines 4-4 and 55 respectively, of Fig. 2.

The improved inkstand herein illustrated embodies a base 6 having an upstanding cylindrical housing 1. The base 6 is designed to rest on a desk or table top and the housing 1 receives an ink bottle 8 which is placed therein in inverted position, that is to say, with its mouth end down.

The ink bottle 8 is provided with a cap or closure 9, which has a downwardly projecting boss l0 formed thereon adjacent one side. The cap is preferably threaded on the mouth end of the ink bottle, as indicated at H, a gasket l2 of cork, or other suitable material, being provided between the mouth end of the ink bottle and the inside of the cap to prevent leakage at that point.

The base 6 is provided with a bottom wall l3, which is recessed as shown at M, to receiv the lower end portion of the cap boss l0. At one side of the housing 1, the base is extended, as indicated at l5, to provide a socket [6 adapted to hold a writing pen I! in an upwardly extending angular position, as best shown in Fig. 2. The

pen point l8 of the pen extends through the socket l6 and into a transversely arcuate recess I9 provided in the cap boss l0. Said boss in is provided with a passageway 20 for conducting ink from the ink bottle 8 directly to the surface of the pen point which engages the transversely arcuate recessed surface H! in the boss I0.

In order that the pen II will normally be seated in the socket IS with the front surface of the pen point 18 in engagement with the arcuate surface 19, the socket I6 is provided near its inner end with a transversely flattened wall portion 2| which is adapted to co-operate with the fiat rear wall portion 22 of the feed bar 23 of the pen. The pen structure may be of the character shown in Patents Nos. 1,915,338 and 2,179,727, and is accordingly such that a small supply of ink will be retained by the feed bar 23 so as to enable the pen to write a large number of words without requiring clipping of the pen in ink, or frequent insertion of the pen in the described inkstand. The upper end portion of the socket may be provided with a series of relatively spaced ribs 24 for centering the lower end of the pen holder relative to the socket. Said ribs co-operat with the boss Hi to support the pen in the angular, upwardly extending position shown, since the pen normally tends to fall by gravity to a horizontal position, thereby causing the pen point [8 to engage against the arcuate recessed wall IQ of the boss I0.

The co-operating fiat surfaces 2| of the pen socket and 22 of the pen feed bar serve to cam the pen in a rotary movement about the axis of the pen upon insertion of the pen into the socket. It is, of course, possible to insert the pen into the socket in such a position that the feed bar 23 will not initially engage the flattened portion 2|, but in that event, it will be readily noticeable that the pen cannot be properly seated in the socket. When the pen is properly seated, it is held quitefirmly against wobbling, and it extends upwardly in a concentric relation to the axis of the socket.

The ink bottle 8 is preferably supported in the base 6 and housing I by means of a shoulder 25 provided in the base and on which the peripheral portion of the cap 9 rests when the ink bottle is in operative association with the base. The boss Ill preferably terminates in slightly spaced relation to the bottom of the recessed portion M of the base, although it may extend downwardly to engage said bottom, if desired. A cover 26 may be provided for closing the upper end of the hous ing. 1, said cover being preferably detachably connected to the housing in any convenient manner such as illustrated.

In the described inkstand construction, ink is fed directly from the ink bottle 8 through the passageway 20 to the pen point. The passage 20 I may be so arranged that it communicates, at least in part, with the usual hole and split in the pen point, such hole being indicated at 21 in Fig. 5. Capillary action between the inside surface of the pen point and the feed bar 23 serves to cause ink to enter the ink retaining slots of the feed bar to thereby provide the pen capacity for extended writing without frequently replenishing the ink supply tolthe pen. point. In the practical opera-. tion of the structure, it is found that ink will ulti; mately seep downwardly between the pen point and the arcuate wall I9 of the boss I0, and into the recess I l. However, the pen point continues to receive its supply of ink directly from the ink bottle and thus, at all times, is in contact with a supply of fresh, free-flowing ink which aids the pen in the proper performance of its writing func-,

tion.

It may be observed that although the discharge end ,of the ink duct 20-is located above the surface- 28 of the bottom wall IQ of the base, ink does not ordinarily flow over said bottom wall l3. This appearsto be due to the fact that the duct 20 is of a sufiiciently small diameter to provide enough resistance tothe flow of ink therethrough. The pen point itself tends toattract ink from the discharge end of the duct 28,, and to that extent assists theflow of ink therethrough, but the assistance thus provided is not suficient to cause a free flow of ink. Only the ink demanded by the pen point and its feed bar will flow out, especially after the recess [4 has been substantially filled with ink to thereby eliminate the capillary eiTect of the lower end portion of the pen point and the portion of the wall I 9 of the boss 18 engaged thereby.

It will also be observed that thesurface of the pen point extending acros the discharge end of the ink duct 28 tends to close the same. Although theclosure of the duct by the pen point is not a perfect seal, it is, nevertheless, usually tight enough to. add materially to the resistance of the ink duct 26 to prevent the free flow of ink through said duct. Movement of the .pen into and out of the, socket I6. serves, of course, to more or less agitate the ink at the discharge end of the duct and to thereby cause a small amount of ink to flow outof the duct.

It has been found, however, that over a. long period of use ink does ont overflow the recessed chamber it except under atmospheric or temperature conditions which result in sufficient air pressure within the ink bottle 8 to force out an excess amount ofink, which then overflows the surface 28 f the bottom wall l3 which then acts as the bottom of anoverfiow chamber.

It, has also been found over aconsiderable period of experience with a device constructed as herein described and illustrated, that when atmospheric and temperature conditions become normal, any ink in the overflowchamber will be returned to the ink bottle 8 by reverse action. Such return of the ink may perhaps be explained by the suction action resulting from a reduction in the air pressure within the inkvbottle relative to the air pressure outside thereof, and by the fact that the pen point normally maintains a film of ink across the discharge end of the duct so that air does not normally have access to the duct 20. Hence, inkandnotair will enter the inkwell when atmospheric conditionscausing flooding of the overflow chamber are restored to normal.

To prevent ink from flowing upwardly on the outer surfaceof the penpoint from thedischarge end 2 9o f the duct the concave recessed surface i9 is; additionally recessed asindica ted at 30 to provide such spacebetween thesurface of the pen point above the dischargeend ofthe duct and the a en id v s e- Q he. ependinsn oieo ion III, that there will be no capillary flow of ink upwardly at that point.

Changes may be made in the structure described without departing from the invention.

I claim: I r

1. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a base having an upwardly extending side wall portion and a bottom wall portion co-operating with said side wall portion to form a receptacle, an ink bottle disposed in said receptacle and having 2, depending projection adjacent one side of the bottle, said depending project-ion being provided with an ink duct communicating at one end with the interior of said ink bottle, and having its other or discharge end communicating with a side surface portion of said dependingprojection, and means; for supporting a penin upwardly extending positionwith its pen point extending across and substantially closing the discharge end; of said inkduct, said duct being of such size as to normally resist the free flow of ink therethrough but permitting ink to be drawn therefrom and delivered; to the pen point as an incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positioned; as aforesaid in said supporting means.

2. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a base having an upwardly extendingv side wall portion and a bottom wallportion co-operating withsaid side wall portion to form a receptacle, an ink bottle disposed in. said receptacle and having a. depending projection adjacent one side of the bottle, said depending projection being provided with an ink ductv c0m municating at one end withthe interior of said inkv bottle, and having its other or discharge end communicating witha sidesurface portion of said dependingprojection, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending position with its pen point extending; across and substantially closing the dischargeend of said ink duct, said duct being of such size as .to normally resist the free flow of ink therethro'ughbut permitting, ink to be drawn therefrom, and delivered to thepen point as-an. incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positionedas aforesaid in said supporting means, the bottomwall of said receptacle having. arecess therein. for receiving a portion of said. depending projection so as to provide a well for holding inkwhich may be dis,

charged through. said ink duct in excess ofthe amount of ink taken upby said pen point.

3. In an inkstand of. the class described, the combination of a base having an upwardly. ex-.

tending side wall portion and a bottom wall portionco-o-perating with said side Wall portion to.

form a receptacle, an ink bottle disposed in said receptacle and having a. depending projection. adjacent one side of v the bottle, said depending projection being provided with an ink ductcommunicating at one end With, the interior of said ink bottle, and having its other orv discharge end communicating with aside surface portion of said depending projection, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending. position with itsv pen point extending acrossand substantially close ing the discharge end of saidink duct, said duct. being of; such size, as to, normally resistthefree, flow of'ink, therethrough but permitting ink. to, be drawn therefrom and delivered to the penpoint. as an incident, to capillary forces provided, by, said n wh n p a n. ommuni at n, with sa d duct p n. in positionedas a oresaid n. said the front face of its pen point in the aforesaid position relative to the discharge end of the inkduct.

4. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a base having an upwardly extending side wall portion and a bottom wall portion co-operating with said side wall portion to form a receptacle, an ink bottle disposed in said receptacle and having a depending projection adjacent one side of the bottle, said depending projection being provided with an ink duct communicating at one end with the interior of said ink bottle, and having its other or discharge end communicating with a side surface portion of said depending projection, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending position with its pen point extending across and substantially closing the discharge end of said ink duct, said duct being of such size as to normally resist the free flow of ink therethrough but permitting ink to be drawn therefrom and delivered to the pen point as an incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positioned as aforesaid in said supporting means, said depending projection having a transversely concave recess therein for receiving a portion of said pen point, said concave surface being the side surface portion with which the discharge end of said ink duct communicates.

5. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a base having an upstanding side wall portion and a bottom wall portion co-operating to form a recess, an inverted ink bottle having a closure cap removably secured to its lower end, a boss depending from the lowermost surface of said cap and provided with an ink duct extending downwardly and outwardly, and having its upper end in communication with the interior of said ink bottle, and its lower or discharge end communicating with the side surface portion of said boss, means in said receptacle for engaging the lower surface of said cap to support said bottle and cap with said lower surface in upwardly spaced relation to said bottom wall, and said bottom wall being provided with a recessed portion for receiving a lower end portion of said projection to form a Well for holding a quantity of ink, the space beyond said recessed portion and between said bottom wall and said cap constituting an overflow chamber for said well, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending position, with its pen point in engagement with said side Wall of the boss in overlying relation to the discharge end of said ink duct, said duct being of such size as to normally resist the free flow of ink therethrough but permittin ink to be drawn therefrom and delivered to the pen point as an incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positioned as aforesaid in said supporting means.

6. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a base having an upstanding side wall portion and a bottom wall portion co-operating to form a recess, an inverted ink bottle having a closure cap removably secured to its lower end, a boss depending from the lowermost surface of said cap and provided with an ink duct extending downwardly and outwardly, and having its upper end in communication with the interior of said ink bottle, and its lower or discharge end conrmunicatmg with the side surface portion of said boss, means in said receptacle for engaging the lower surface of said cap to support said bottle and cap with said lower surface in upwardly spaced relation to said bottom wall, and said bottom wall being provided with a recessed portion for receiving a lower end portion of said projection to form a well for holding a quantity of ink, the space beyond said recessed portion and between said bottom wall and said cap constituting an overflow chamber for said Well, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending position, with its pen point in engagement with said side Wall of the boss in overlying relation to the discharge and of said ink duct, said duct being of such size as to normaliy resist the free flow of ink tnerethrough but permitting ink to be drawn therefrom and delivered to the pen point as an incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positioned as aforesaid in said supporting means, said boss having a transversely concave side surface portion approximately conforming to the normal convex curvature of a conventional pen point, and with which concave surface portion said discharge end of the ink duct communicates.

7. In an inkstand of the class described, the,

combination of a base having an upstanding side wall portion and a bottom wall portion co-operating to form a recess, an inverted ink bottle having a closure ca removably secured to its lower end, a boss depending from the lowermost surface of said cap and provided with an ink duct extending downwardly and outwardly, and having its upper end in communication with the interior of said ink bottle, and its lower or discharge end communicating with the side surface portion of said boss, means in said receptacle for engaging the lower surface of said cap to support said bottle and cap with said lower surface in upwardly spaced relation to said bottom wall, and said bottom wall being provided with a recessed portion for receiving a lower end portion of said projection to form a well for holdin a quantity of ink, the space beyond said recessed portion and between said bottom wall and said cap constituting an overflow chamber for said well, and means for supporting a pen in upwardly extending position, with its pen point in engagement with said side wall of the boss in overlying relation to the discharge end of said ink duct, said boss having a transversely concave side surface portion approximately conforming to the normal convex curvature of a conventional pen point, and with which concave surface portion said discharge end of the ink duct communicates, said duct being of such size as to normally resist the free flow of ink therethrough but permitting ink to be drawn therefrom and delivered to the pen point as an incident to capillary forces provided by said pen when placed in communication with said duct upon being positioned as aforesaid in said supporting means, and means for preventing the capillary flow of ink upwardly on the outer surface of the pen point from said discharge end of the duct.

GUSTAV J. SENGBUSCH. 

